Shimla, Feb 23
During the question hour session in the Himachal Vidhan Sabha on Friday, significant attention was drawn to the water supply situation in the Parwanoo Industrial Township and adjacent villages. Vinod Sultanpuri MLA of Kasauli raised the issue through point of order about the washing away of Koshayala dam which may create the water crisis in the nearby village . He said that NH mucks were dumped in the Koshyala river and it lead flood in the river and washed down the water harvesting dam.
In reply, the assembly was briefed on the measures undertaken by the Himachal Pradesh Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) to address concerns arising from the damage to the intake structure at Kaushalya River.
In response to queries, it was revealed that the intake structure at Kaushalya River suffered substantial damage during heavy rainfall in June-July 2023. HIMUDA swiftly initiated efforts to secure funds under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for the repair of the dam structure and associated infrastructure, including pipelines, roads, and safety measures.
Despite awaiting the release of funds from the concerned authorities, HIMUDA took proactive steps to mitigate water scarcity risks. Additional centrifugal pumps and submersible pumps were installed below the raw water pumping house in the river, ensuring uninterrupted water supply except for sporadic instances due to electricity or technical failures.
Furthermore, to address the potential impact of receding water levels in the Kaushalya River, HIMUDA commenced construction of retaining structures below the damaged check dam. These structures aim to create water ponds for gravity-fed intake during lean periods, contingent upon adequate surface water availability.
In a collaborative effort with the Jal Shakti Vibhag, discussions have been held regarding the takeover of the water supply scheme for the Parwanoo township. Mutual agreements have been reached, with plans for handover post-monsoon season.
Members of the assembly were assured that the government is committed to ensuring adequate funds for the necessary repairs of the intake structure, reaffirming their dedication to securing water supply for the Parwanoo town in the upcoming summer season.
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